Eurotopics.net

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has drawn international criticism for his treatment of several activists who had been detained by Israeli forces on board the Gaza aid flotilla Global Sumud. A video posted by the far-right politician shows him mocking the activists, who are on their knees with their hand tied behind their backs, and waving an Israeli flag. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has distanced himself from the incident.

Following parliamentary elections in Slovenia in March which failed to deliver a clear majority, a group of MPs has proposed electing Janez Janša, leader of the conservative SDS, as Prime Minister and the formation of a centre-right coalition. If his nomination is successful, Janša will become head of Slovenia's government for the fourth time.

The US last week called off plans to deploy 4,000 US troops to Poland. According to the Pentagon, the number of US combat brigades in Europe will be reduced from four to three. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Washington not to jeopardise its friendship with Warsaw. At the beginning of May, the US had also announced the withdrawal of around 5,000 troops from Germany.

Hot on the heels of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin has paid a two-day visit to Beijing. The Russian president and his host Xi Jinping publicly emphasised the strong ties between their countries. However, the two leaders failed to reach a deal on the construction of a new pipeline to export Russian natural gas. Europe's press analyses the international power relations.